Transfer Speculation: Niko Kranjcar

Niko Kranjcar
Today’s speculation suggests the Reds Boss is looking for re-enforcements in midfield and is eyeing up a possible move for 24-year-old Portsmouth and Croatian international.

The Guardian reports: “Rafa Benítez continues to trawl through the depths of the Premier League in search of little-heralded gems. The latest to take his fancy is Portsmouth's Niko Kranjcar, whom he's confident of landing for £7m.”

Johnson bid 'accepted' claims media

"Liverpool had an offer of about £18.5 million for Glen Johnson accepted last night" claims the Times.

The article also says Chelsea were “unwilling to match the fee for a player they sold for £4 million two years ago. Manchester City expressed an interest, but have not matched the price, which will include add-ons.” Presumably Johnson will begin negotiating terms with the Reds before the deal can be finalised. Todays Echo says "The Reds are wary about making any official statement after their experience with Gareth Barry last month." It also claims the "fee handed over, however, will be significantly less than £17m, with money still owed for last summer's transfer of Peter Crouch." and "Liverpool would seek to make up the remainder by offloading Alvaro Arbeloa to Real Madrid for £8m and returning Andrea Dossena to Italy."

I’m not sure Liverpool will sell their current right back Arbeloa, as the Spanish defender enjoyed his best season yet with the Reds. The team did not have a natural replacement when he was injured and had to resort to playing Jamie Carragher. My assumption was that Johnson would be competing with Arbeloa for the position, as the team fight in four competitions. Dossena on the other hand appears to be a more viable option to sell. The position has plenty of cover in Aurelio and Degen and the Dossena has expressed a desire to move to Italy with Juventus potential buyers.

Rafa's £17m bid for Johnson accepted by Portsmouth

Transfer Speculation

Rafael Benitez's £17 million bid for Glen Johnson has been accepted by Portsmouth reports today’s Telegraph. He story says part of the fee will involve “writing off £7 million owed for Peter Crouch.”

The article goes on to speculate: “Benitez has a kitty of £15 million, though he may find that augmented once co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have refinanced their £350 million loan with RBS and Wachovia. Sources at the club insist he does not have to sell to buy, though a mooted £6 million bid from Real Madrid for right-back Alvaro Arbeloa may be too good to turn down.”

Portsmouth chairman admits Johnson deal imminent

Transfer Speculation

Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie has revealed the club have received a bid for Glen Johnson and that a deal could be concluded imminently. Liverpool are thought to be the front-runners for his signature. Johnson has established himself as Fabio Capello's first choice at right-back and has enjoyed his best season for Portsmouth. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Storrie said:

"Glen has had a fantastic season for us and I think he is the best right-back in the country at the moment. I've know Glen a long while, from my West Ham days. When I re-signed him (at Portsmouth) we talked things over. He said, 'If one of the big four come in with Champions League football, would you stand in my way?' I told him I couldn't do that. Providing the deal is right for Portsmouth and Glen then we will look to try and do something in the right way. It is very hard to try and hold people back when they have a chance to play in the Champions League. I accept that."

When asked if an offer of between £15million and £18million had been tabled, Storrie replied: "You may not be a million miles away from the mark." Storrie went on to concede that a deal could be struck imminently, adding: "I wouldn't think it would be too long."

Liverpool set to unveil Johnson within days

Transfer Speculation

Rafa Benitez will step up his pursuit of Glen Johnson over the weekend and "hopes to unveil the England right back as his first summer signing in the next few days," reports the Mail.

Chelsea are Liverpool's chief rivals in the race to capture his signature after having a £17million bid accepted by Portsmouth last week. Manchester City and Bayern Munich have also expressed their interest in Johnson.

However, the article claims: “Benitez remains confident of seeing off the 24-year-old's former club after it emerged that Anfield would be his preferred destination.”

The Liverpool manager could use an outstanding amount from “Peter Crouch's move to Portsmouth - thought to be around £7million - to top up his available funds and match Chelsea's £17million offer” says the article. “Johnson has become Benitez's No 1 target in recent weeks” and his attacking runs down the right for Portsmouth and England have convinced Benitez of his value. But, “his arrival will leave little leeway for further strengthening.”

The story also states “Benitez has also lodged a £2m bid for Johnson's Fratton Park team-mate Sylvain Distin,” but the manager may have to “consider selling before making any other signings.” Benitez could raise some funds “by sacrificing Yossi Benayoun after reports in Israel that Tottenham, as well as Barcelona, had made an approach for the midfielder,” says the story. Benayoun has apparently “been priced at £12m for foreign clubs but would cost even more for any of Liverpool's Barclays Premier League rivals,” according to the article.

Liverpool set to bid £2m for Distin

Transfer Speculation

Liverpool are set to launch a £2million bid to sign Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin states today’s Echo. The article says: “Reds boss Rafa Benitez is in the market for a new centre-back following the departure of Sami Hyypia to Bayer Leverkusen and believes the 31-year-old Frenchman fits the bill. Distin only has one year left on his contract at Fratton Park and recently admitted his future was uncertain. “Right now I expect to be here next season but I’m not in touch with anyone and tomorrow things can change,” he said. “There may be a new manager with his players and I won’t play. A lot of things can happen in the coming months. “All I want to do is go away on holiday, relax and refresh my mind and then I will come back and see what happens.” Bolton and Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the versatile 6ft 3ins defender who can play centre-back or left-back. Liverpool were interested in him two years ago but he made the switch to Portsmouth in order to get regular first team football.”

The article also claims, following today’s Tuncay speculation that “Benitez is keen to bolster his strikeforce with Andrei Voronin expected to depart having returned from his season-long loan on Hertha Berlin.”